New Delhi: The Indian government on Monday confirmed that it will confer the country’s highest sporting honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to PV Sindhu, Dipa Karmakar, Jitu Rai and Sakshi Malik for their stellar performances in their respective disciplines at international level.

The prestigious award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.

While ace shuttler Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi bagged silver and bronze medals respectively at the just-concluded Rio Olympics, gymnast Dipa missed out on an Olympic medal by a whisker.

Ace marksman Jitu Rai, ranked third in the world in the men’s 10m air pistol, was one of two Indian shooters to make the final of their respective events in Rio, the other being Abhinav Bindra.

Woman tennis star Sania Mirza was the recipient of the coveted award last year.